2010 Mercury Prize nominations announced

TG staff stand to win up to £8 in office sweepstake

The Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominations have been announced and there are a couple of great guitar bands in the running. The winner will be announced on 7 September during a live broadcast on BBC2.

TG is chuffed to see Biffy Clyro getting a well-deserved tip of the cap. They're a good old-fashioned slow-burning success story and could well pull an "Elbow" (not in the muscular sense) if they win it.

In addition, the nu-folk stylings of Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons and Villagers also make up a significant chunk of the nominees.

Bookies William Hill have proclaimed it the closest race ever, with favourites The xx (and Dizzee Rascal) on 4/1. Biffy's in joint-third with 8/1, whereas new act Villagers represent a good wildcard bet, on at 10/1. Check out the full list of nominees below.